Behavioral Health programs, including Crisis Resource Centers, provide vital resources
Feeling blue as the holidays approach? You’re not alone. Studies show that most people feel more stressed and that mental illness can be harder to manage this time of year.
This holiday season, we’re here to help you shoo the blues by making your mental health a priority.
Practice Self-Care
Self-care is actively taking steps to prioritize your physical and mental well-being by engaging in activities that help you manage stress and mood and maintain a good quality of life.
Examples of self-care include reading, listening to music, exercising, getting fresh air, meditating, journaling, and spending time with a friend. Practicing good self-care helps us better cope with life’s challenges and live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Eat and Sleep Well
When we eat healthy food and get good quality sleep, our bodies are able to maintain energy levels and cognitive function, regulate hormones, and reduce risk for chronic diseases (i.e., heart disease, obesity, diabetes, etc.). A healthy diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, dairy, unsaturated fats and drinking plenty of water. Avoid fast food and consume sweets in moderation.
Want to sleep better? Create a consistent bedtime routine, avoid electronics before bed and create a relaxing environment. If you can’t fall asleep right after 20 minutes, get up and do a relaxing activity, then try to sleep again.
Ask for Help
Asking for help when you need it is important because it allows you to access support, learn from others, build stronger relationships, reduce stress, and overcome challenges more effectively. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness, because it ultimately helps you achieve better outcomes by not trying to do everything alone.
If you or someone you know needs emergency mental health support, we’re here to help.
Our Behavioral Health program and the Crisis Resource Centers are vital resources to help people manage mental health and for emergency support and shelter, when needed.